ECI dismisses fake voter claims, says duplicate EPIC numbers due to old system

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has denied allegations of electoral roll manipulation, stating that duplicate Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers do not indicate fake or duplicate voters. It clarified that such duplications resulted from a previous manual system where different states issued EPIC numbers independently before the introduction of a centralized database. The clarification follows concerns raised by opposition leaders and reports of identical EPIC numbers assigned to voters across different states.

In a statement, the ECI said, “The Election Commission has taken cognizance of certain social media posts and media reports flagging the issue of electors of two states having identical EPIC numbers.” It explained that while EPIC numbers of some voters may be the same, other details, including demographic information, Assembly Constituency, and polling booth, remain distinct. It also emphasized that EPIC numbers do not determine voting rights, as electors can vote only in their designated polling stations.

The issue surfaced after opposition leaders, including Congress’s Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accused the ruling party of manipulating voter rolls ahead of upcoming elections. Banerjee alleged that names from Haryana and Gujarat had been added to West Bengal’s electoral rolls while keeping their EPIC numbers unchanged. Meanwhile, the BJP countered with claims that certain voter deletions targeted specific communities.

To resolve the issue, the ECI has announced plans to assign unique EPIC numbers to all voters, eliminating any existing duplication. It has also decided to upgrade its ERONET 2.0 platform to streamline voter registration and ensure accurate record-keeping. “Any case of duplicate EPIC number will be rectified by allotting a unique EPIC number. The ERONET 2.0 platform will be updated to aid and assist in this process,” the Commission stated.

The ECI reaffirmed that voter eligibility is determined by enrollment in the electoral roll of a specific constituency, not just the EPIC number. It assured voters that necessary measures are being taken to prevent any future confusion and maintain transparency in the electoral process.